Hong Kong to get harborside observation wheel

Hong Kong's waterfront gets OTT with killer skyscrapers, laser show and now a giant wheel.

Hong Kong may well get its own observation wheel next year. The government Lands Department has posted a tender notice for short-term tenancy of the plot in front of Central piers 9 and 10 on Hong Kong Island.

The approximately 9,620-square-meters of prime waterfront real estate is up for grabs by any operator of an observation wheel who can set up and manage the facility for at least three years.

The "Hong Kong Eye" should be at least 50 meters in diameter and the tenderer should have at least 10 years of experience.

The closing date for submissions is at noon on December 14, 2012. It also says that the construction period should take a minimum of 12 months. So the fastest we would see an observation wheel on the Central harborfront would probably be Christmas of 2013.

The British-based companies proposed the R60 model of observation wheel that is 60-meters-tall, covered in white LED lights. It can hold a maximum of 10,000 people a day and each ride would last 10 to 15 minutes, costing HK$100 (US$13) per person.

Feedback from readers of our article on the initial proposal was generally negative.

One comment says: I understand that the HK tourism board is looking to add another attraction on their flyer ...but this is really ridiculous and would turn victoria harbor into a circus. [sic]"